Technological advances have impacted every segment of society, including the process of looking for employment. Rather than spending hours thumbing through classified ads, job seekers now are able to use social media and job sites to not only look for jobs but also narrow their searches down to specific industries or even companies. The internet has also made it easier for job seekers to put themselves out there, showcasing their own resumes and skills.
Technology has not only made it easier for job seekers to find job advertisements, but job seekers can now – through personal branding – more easily become their own advertisements. Below are four ways technology has affected job hunting.
The job search
Technology has helped make searching for jobs more convenient than ever. With an internet connection and a phone, job seekers are able to look for jobs anywhere in the world, from anywhere in the world. It’s not only also easier to look, but also apply for jobs at the click of a button. This tends to present an issue for not only employers looking for standout candidates, but also job seekers themselves who are competing with hundreds or thousands of other job seekers. One way to hack this problem is by thoroughly reading job descriptions and including those keywords to align with your resume, experience and skills.
Interview Anywhere – You made it through the screening process and have been called for an interview. However, the job you are interviewing for is thousands of miles away. Traditionally, this would require a cross-country road trip and a phone interview. Technological advances such as video calls have made it easier to conduct face-to-face interviews with people on opposite sides of the world.
Not only are one-on-one video calls possible, but panel interviews – through video conferencing technology – are able to be conducted between multiple people spread across different parts of the world. The advent of video technology has also cut down on the time it takes for companies to find and hire potential employees.
Social media and the job search
Social media now has a huge impact on job searches. In fact, if you’re not using your social media profiles to attract employers, you’re overlooking a great opportunity. LinkedIn is the most important platform for getting noticed by potential employers. Make sure you leverage your profile with a professional photo and a thorough description of your experience and abilities. Keywords are also extremely powerful on LinkedIn so make sure you use every possible term that employers in your industry might search for.
Video CVs and Skype interviews
If you’re looking for a way to stand apart from the competition, create a video CV. Not all applications accept these yet but you can still post it on YouTube, LinkedIn, and your own website. This gives employers a chance to see you in a more intimate way than is possible on paper. Practice a few times until you’re comfortable with the content and delivery. You also have to pay extra attention to the way you dress and your environment. A related trend is getting interviewed on Skype rather than visiting the employer in person. It’s a good idea to get accustomed to speaking into a camera as this is getting more and more common in the job search process.
Give employers and search engines what they want
With today’s technology, you have to work on pleasing job search engines as well as human hiring managers. Here are some of the major points to remember:
• Include a good selection of keywords and categories. With search engines, keywords play a major role. Research as many words and terms as possible and use them in your listings on job sites and social media platforms. Remember that similar jobs are often described using different words. The more keywords you include, the better the chances that an employer will find you. The same is true when you’re searching on job sites, LinkedIn, or anywhere jobs are listed. Search under as many categories as possible, as hiring managers don’t always list jobs the same way.
• Your own website is an important tool in your job search. A website also gives you the chance to showcase your experience and knowledge. Consider creating a Wog on your website where you can include lots of keyword-rich content and show the world that you keep up with the latest trends in your industry.
• Use professional photos. Your headshot is often the first impression people get from you. It’s worth it to invest in getting some professional photos taken rather than relying on selfies or cheap photo booth shots. Keep in mind that photos are important on public job sites or social media sites but are best left out of CVs unless specifically requested (unless you’re in the entertainment industry).
• Use a professional email address. This makes a better impression than a generic Yahoo or Gmail email. It’s also important to avoid silly or outrageous emails such as Superman1234 or CuteKittyxyz.
• Hunt far and wide. With so many job sites and social media and blogging platforms available, there’s no reason to limit yourself to one or two possibilities. Posting your qualifications and/or CV as widely as possible only increases your chances.
In today’s Information Age, it is easier than ever to find information about companies and potential employers. Combined with social media, it is also easier than ever to connect with these potential employers through a combination of applying directly, marketing and branding oneself, and networking. Beyond clicking, “Apply Now; or, ‘Submit Resume; technology has also affected the job hunting process by making it easier for employers to interview potential employees using video conferencing technology. Contact Kinsey Management for the best job searching advice.